Confederate veterans participating in the unveiling ceremony for the
Matagorda County Confederate Monument January, 1913.
Picture courtesy
of Matagorda County Museum

Monument photo at left courtesy of Kenneth L. Thames

DAUGHTERS OF CONFEDERACY WORKING
FOR MONUMENT
Ladies of Bay City Using Tribune to Raise Funds.

The Daughters of Confederacy, E. S. Rugeley Camp of Bay City, have
inaugurated a novel campaign of raising funds with which to add to the
necessary amount required for the handsome monument to be erected in
commemoration of "The Lost Cause" in this city next year. They have
engaged the Tribune for a period of four weeks and are receiveing a very
liberal commission on all the work turned in to this paper. Up to the
present time quite a lot of copy has been handed in and the U. D. C.
paper promises to be a big success.

Houston is responding liberally in the matter of assisting in the cause
many of her merchants having sent in liberally reclamations for space.

From the literary and historical point of view the paper will be a treat
and worth filing away.

Those of our merchants and business people who have engaged space in
this worthy undertaking will confer a great favor upon the management of
the Tribune by having their copy in at once.

Matagorda County Tribune, June 2, 1911

LETTER
FROM JUDGE R. R. LEWIS TO GOV. COLQUITT

Lewis Gould, grandson of Richard
Ricker Lewis, shared this letter that he discovered in the Colquitt
archives in Austin.

R. R. LEWISCOUNTYATTORNEYMATAGORDACOUNTYBAY CITY, TEXAS

Monday,
November 11, 1912

Hon. O. B. Colquitt,

Governor , State of
Texas
,

Austin
.

Dear Sir;

On the 19th
of January, 1913, Lee and Jackson’s anniversary, the ladies of the E.
S. Rugeley Chapter, United Daughters of the Confederacy, are to unveil a
monument and drinking fountain to the memory of the Confederate soldier
throughout the land,--living and dead,--which monument, through their
untiring efforts and energy these ladies have secured sufficient funds
to build, and which will be erected in the Court House Square of our
County. The monument is en route now, and will be erected in time for
unveiling on January 19th, and it is the earnest desire of
the ladies of the U. D. C. here that you be present and address us upon
this occasion, and have asked me to take up this matter with you, and
extend you this invitation to be with us on that date.

The ladies and
all here consider that you are the highly appropriate person to be with
us and deliver us an address upon the occasion of the unveiling of our
monument to “Our Confederate Dead,--Lest we forget”; and
furthermore, in as much as you have never been in Matagorda County
during your two campaigns for your office, we would be doubly glad to
see you here on the 19th of January. You can leave
Austin
on the night of the 18th, reaching here at
noon
of the 19th, and can return that night, if you desire. I know
that you are going to be very busy in January, as that is the time for
the session of the Legislature, but we hope you can see your way clear
to laying aside cares of business and gubernatorial administration, and
join us on the 19th of January, as above indicated, when the
monument will be unveiled.

If you can see
your way clear to being present for the unveiling of this monument, I
would be glad to have you my house-guest during your visit in the city,
and join my personal invitation to that of ladies asking that you be
present at the above time and place.

With best
personal regards, and trusting to have an early and favorable acceptance
of the ladies’ invitation, and my personal one, I remain,

Very truly yours,

Richard
R. Lewis

GROUND BROKEN FOR CONFED'S MONUMENT HERE
________

S. O. MADDOX OF GEORGIA WILL ERECT THE GRANITE SHAFT
________

Force of Workmen Are at Work on The Court House Lawn Making The
Necessary Excavation For the Foundation

S. S. Maddox, of Georgia, who has the contract to erect the Confederate
monument for the E. S. Rugeley Camp of Confederate Veterans, in the
court house square in Bay City, arrived in the city a day or so ago and
began work this morning on the erection of the beautiful monument which
is to commemorate the memory of the illustrious dead of our great
Southland.

The monument will be of Georgia granite and will stand thirty feet high
with a base of fourteen feet. The underground foundation will be of
concrete several feet in depth and of a consistency to make the monument
of a very substantial character.

On the base of the monument, which will contain a drinking fountain, are
the words: "In Memory of Our Confederate Soldiers." Above this are the
Confederate flags of Texas and the Confederate states intertwined with
"1861-1865" at the top and bottom of the engraving.

This monument has been purchased through the efforts of the local
chapter U. D. C. and will prove to be a fitting tribute to their loyalty
and zeal in behalf of the "Lost Cause."

When erected it will be dedicated with due ceremonies under the auspices
of the "U. D. C.'s."

The Daily Tribune, December 19, 1912

MONUMENT FACES RIGHT DIRECTION
No Set Rules For Setting Memorial Stones, But Bay City Statue Has
Precedents to Follow.

As there was some controversy over the direction in which the
Confederate monument erected in Bay City recently by the United
Daughters of the Confederacy, Mrs. Wells Thompson took it upon
herself to gather what authority she could in regard to the matter.
Mrs. Thompson has received an interesting letter from Mrs. Cornelia
Branch Stone which is self explanatory, and which the Tribune
takes pleasure in publishing.

My dear Mrs. Thompson:--I do not know, that there
is a rule, as to the facing of a Confederate monument, or any other
as to that matter, but can tell you that the monument erected by the
U. D. C. to President Jefferson Davis in Richmond, Va., designed by
Valentine, faces east; cost $75,,000. Zoleny, the sculptor of a
statue of Mr. Davis at his grave in Hollywood cemetery, placed by
Mrs. Davis, and a monument to Winnie Davis, erected by the U. D. C.
in same place, both face east. The great monument here by Amateis,
an Italian sculptor, "To the Heroes of the Texas Revolution," faces
South. There are many monuments and these face all points of the
compass according to location and prominence of the street on which
they stand.

The Confederate soldiers and sailor monument here
faces West. The Confederate soldiers monument at Houston faces
South, as near as I recall, so I conclude that there is no rule, and
you have the example of the president of the Confederacy facing
East, which is excellent authority for the Jefferson Davis Monument
Association was formed of one representative from every state in
which the U. D. C. had an organization and they thoroughly canvassed
all of the details and the sculptor is a Richmond man, and the R. E.
Lee Camp, U. D. C., there was made up very largely of men of
intelligence and thought, and advised with these ladies.

I do not know how the Arlington monument will
face. the cornerstone was laid while I was there, and I was present
but the platform was covered with canvass to protect it from the sun
and rain.

Trusting that this, while being indefinite, may
be helpful, and with love and good wishes to you and yours, believe
me your friend,

Cornelia Branch Stone.

Mrs. Cornelia Branch Stone is an efficient,
honored and loyal Daughter of the Confederacy; she was president of
Texas Division of U. D. C.; she was president general of the United
Daughters of the Confederacy, the highest honor to be conferred by
the U. D. C.

Daily Tribune, January 6, 1913

UNVEILING
CONFEDERATEMONUMENT.

From Bay City Tribune.

The E. S. Rugeley
chapter of the U.D.C. had a called meeting at the home of the president
on Tuesday afternoon to make final arrangements for the unveiling of the
beautiful new monument to our confederate dead. The ceremony will take
place in the afternoon at
two-o'clock
on Friday, the 17th of January, instead of the 19th as was first
intended, in order that the school children may attend in a body. We
expect to have some good speakers here at that time and cordially invite
everyone to come out and help us make this a day that will long be
remembered in the history of
Bay City. Judge Norman G. Kittrell of Houston, Gen. Felix Robertson and Gen. Van
Zandt of Ft. Worth and Col. Joke Wolters, are among the out of town
speakers. The governor of the state, Mr. Colquitt has been asked, but we
fear now that he will not be present on account of the state legislature
being in session at that time. Mr. John E. Linn will make the address
for the Daughters, and Judge Holman will receive the monument as the
representative of the county.

We hope for a good
representation from all the nearby chapters, Victoria, El Campo,
Wharton, Palacios and Angleton. A reception will be given for our guests
on Friday evening at the home of Mr. Henry Rugeley. Little Misses Mary
LeTulle Rugeley and Lucy Phillips will pull the cord that tears away the
veil from one of the most perfect pieces of workmanship in the state,
and the one great work of which the E. S. Rugeley chapter is proudest.

The
Matagorda News,
January 10, 1913

THREE THOUSAND WITNESS MONUMENT UNVEILING

MARBLE SHAFT OBJECT OF LOVING ADMIRATION AND
SPLENDID ORATORY.

The Day Marked an Epoch in History of Bay
City.

With the elements threatening and an occasional shower of rain to
make the crowd restless fully three thousand people gathered in and
about the public square yesterday afternoon to witness the solemn
though spectacular scene of the unveiling of the monument which the
local members of the E. S. Rugeley Camp [Chapter] of the United
Daughters of the Confederacy have had erected in honor of the E. S.
Rugeley Camp of Confederate Veterans and to perpetuate the memory of
the gallant band of Texas boys who comprised the company commanded
by Capt. E. S. Rugeley “back in the sixties.”

The monument is a beautiful one hewn from white
Georgia marble, and about thirty feet in length. Its base is
designed for a fountain and ornamental pool. Two cannons protrude
from the main base of the pedestal, one pointing South and the other
North, through which flows the water. On the East and West square of
the base are engraved the words: “Erected by Capt. E. S. Rugeley
Chapter, No. 542, U. D. C.,” and “To the Memory of Our Confederate
Soldiers.” “Lest we Forget.” Above which a plain square shaft
reaches to the base on which the soldier stands. The soldier is
dressed in Confederate uniform holding an Enfield with bayonet fixed
leaning on a stump with his face to the east. It is a most imposing
statue and stands as a fitting tribute to a noble cause and given in
commemoration of the departed spirit of an illustrious dead as well
that the illustrious living might behold, by the hands of the proud
and patriotic daughters who have worked so long and patriotically to
procure.

The monument was raised to commemorate and honor
the dead. It will also stand as a monument to the love, patriotism,
zeal and fidelity of the noble women who made such heroic efforts to
erect it.

The program was replete with the spectacular and
grandeur. Perhaps never before has there been such in Bay City, or
elsewhere, such a parade—a parade which stirred the hearts of
onlookers and brought forth liberal applause and cheering. Old
veterans, sons and daughters of the Confederacy marched to the
strains of martial and patriotic music and with seven hundred and
fifty school children. It was indeed a grand sight and one we seldom
witness.

The parade was formed on Seventh street, the head
being in front of the First National Bank with the rear near the
Santa Fe tracks, nearly a half mile away. The procession was headed
by the National Rice Growers Band aided by several of the crack
musicians of Murphy’s theatrical troupe now playing in this city.
There were twenty-two pieces in the band and the music rendered was
superb. After the band came twenty-one Confederate Veterans most of
whom wore the gray, but who marched, perhaps not a sprightly but
just as proudly as they did fifty-two years ago. Following the
Veterans were the sons, then the daughters and after them the school
children. Several automobiles, with Confederate and Texas flags
flying, brought up the rear, in the first of which sat “the grandest
Roman of them all,” whose tireless energy, unfailing zeal, boundless
love and eternal faith figured as the principal factor in raising
the funds and other work incident to the securing of the monument--Mrs.
H. L. (Dr.) Rugeley. Indeed, it must have been the proudest moment
in the life of this grand woman to behold, under such circumstances
and glorious pageantry the fruits of her labors realized!

The procession wended its way around the public
square twice and filed into the court house yard in perfect order
where it was disbanded for other interesting parts of the afternoon
ceremonies.

After a few appropriate numbers by the band from
the grand stand, Hon. John W. Gaines, with his customary fine grace
of manner and polished sense, announced the order of the program.
Speaking with heart-felt enthusiasm and eagerness he briefly
outlined the intentions of the gathering and invited Rev. J. F.
Carter, of the Methodist church, to administer the invocation.

Judge John E. Linn, in patriotic manner and style
responded to Mr. Gaines’ request for the address of welcome. Judge
Linn was in splendid form and his voice was as clear as a bell and
as strong as his logic. Perhaps there has never been heard in Bay
City a more magnificent flow of oratory nor a talk of more good
sense and argument. The address of welcome was a masterpiece and
deeply appreciated by his hearers.

Mrs. H. L. (Dr.) Rugeley was then announced and
her duty refined. It was she who was to turn the monument over to
the county which she did with matchless grace, dignity and feeling.
The scene was almost dramatic as this grand old woman rose from her
easy chair and turned to Judge Holman, who was to accept it in the
name of the county. With her lips trembling in reverence and her
eyes sparkling with the same old Southern fire of patriotism, Mrs.
Rugeley gracefully announced to Judge Holman that the monument was
the property of the county and in his keeping.

Judge Holman just as gracefully received it on
behalf of the county and briefly stated with what care it would be
kept and with what love it would be cherished and revered. While he
was speaking, two young misses, Mary Rugeley and Larry Phillips,
pulled the string, and the veil parted and the stolid form of a
Southern soldier silhouetted against the outlines of a gracious
Heaven, a perpetual sentinel on the ramparts of Time and
until--Eternity.

Daily Tribune, January 18, 1913

CONFEDERATE
MONUMENT UNVEILING

Recalls the Heroic Death of Half of Captain Rugeley's Company In the
Storm on Matagorda Bay.

This town having
been the home of the brave men who lost their lives in the disaster on
the bay on the night of December 31st, 1863, when they went out in a
small boat to repell an attack from Federal forces, our people have more
than a common interest in the monument which was unveiled at Bay City
last Friday. The monument is gray marble, thirty feet high, and rests on
a base fourteen feet octagon, embracing a drinking fountain, all set in
a concrete foundation.

The monument was
erected under the auspices of the E. S. Rugeley Chapter of the Daughters
of the Confederacy, of
Bay City
, and that body conducted the unveiling exercises. In behalf of the
Daughters, Judge John E. Linn made the presentation speech, which was an
able presentation of the constitutional causes of the war--the question
of the sovereignty of the state. Hon. W. S. Holman responded for the
county, accepting the monument, in an eloquent tribute to the heroic
dead and the noble women of the Southland, especially the Daughters who
had planned and executed this monument. Little Misses Mary LeTulle
Rugeley, and Lucy Phillips pulled the cord which revealed the figure to
the delighted eye of the great throng, who gazed first with silent
reverence and then greeted it with rapturous applause. In the evening a
reception was tendered the visiting veterans at the home of Mrs. Henry
Rugeley.

This monument will
stand throughout the coming centuries as a memorial to the brave men who
...their homes and the "Lost Cause," and a tribute also to the
loyalty of the devoted women who revered the flag as much and often
suffered more for it than the men at the front.

The monument is
designed to commemorate the heroism of the Confederate Dead, but with
the name of the local Chapter, "Captain E. S. Rugeley Chapter, of
the U.D.C," recalled the disaster to Captain Rugeley's company
forty-nine years ago, when upon responding to the call to arms to defend
Matagorda from Federal attack, twenty men went to their death. Early on
the morning of
December 31, 1863
a courier brought to Capt. Rugeley, commander of the post here, news
that the Federals stationed at Decrow's Point, at Pass Cavallo, 40 miles
below Matagorda, had planned an attack upon the town for that night, it
being reported that gunboats were to shell the town from the peninsula.
The information was that the attacking party were to come in gunboats to
the peninsula opposite Matagorda, from which point the marines or
infantry were to come across the bay in small boats and the gunboats
attack from across the bay. Capt. Rugeley called for volunteers from the
company, and all the company wanted to go, says Judge Burkhart, the only
survivor of the company living in Matagorda; but Sergeant Burkhart was
made officer in charge of the guard of about fifteen to remain at the
post and the remainder, about 45 made preparations to go meet the
attack. Henry Cookenboo's sailboat, the George
Burkhart was procured, small for the purpose but the best available
at the time and the party embarked in that, a few going in a still
smaller boat. During the day the weather was fair, but about the time
for starting a fierce norther blew up, but nothing daunted, the brave
men set sail for the peninsula shore. The storm grew worse and intensely
cold, ice forming an inch on the ropes until the men were so benumbed
with cold, and the frozen ropes and rigging, the boat became
unmanageable, and about midnight capsized, just before reaching the John
Kerr an old river steamboat which had been armed with two cannon and
was to do service as a gunboat.

As the wreck
occurred close to the shore of the peninsula, though the night was very
dark and the wind blowing a perfect gale, about half of the party
including Capt. Rugeley and Captain Cookenboo, were washed ashore and
escaped. But most of the men already benumbed by the cold, in the water
were soon helpless, and were either drowned for frozen to death.

Besides Judge
Burkhart, the writer knows but one survivor of the ill-fated expedition.
Mr. Wm. Selkirk, now resident of
Galveston
, who had a remarkable experience. Mr. Selkirk says he was so overcome
by the cold that he remembers little of the occurrences immediately
preceding the wreck, and nothing of the experiences following. His first
recollection, when partly restored to consciousness, was being carried
by a strong fellow-soldier names Decrow (Mr. Selkirk was about twenty
years old and of slight build); that Decrow laid him down on the sand of
the beach and said "Will, you rest here while I go to that house
yonder where the light is and get help." How long he remained there
he does not know, as he again lapsed into unconsciousness; but after a
while he heard voices, and heard Decrow say, "Well, here is where I
left Will; I remember this log; I am sure, for I noted this log
particularly. Mr. Selkirk says he could hear but could not move or talk;
he tried to call but his voice would fail him, and he remembers with
what horror his mind, was filled at the thought that if they should fail
to find him "It would be all up with me that time, sure."
Finally Decrow came close enough to him to see him, and they carried him
into the house, which proved to be the home of Mr. Henry Freeman, a
stock-farmer on the peninsula, and now the grandfather of George
Kilbride of Matagorda, to whom he related the above experience, on a
recent visit to Bay City while they stood admiring the monument.

Captain Rugeley,
who was among the rescued, was for many years afterward a prominent and
valued citizen of the county, serving in the legislature and as county
judge several terms. He died at the age of seventy-five on
December 21, 1897
.

The names, ages
and birthplace of twenty who were lost in the expedition are as follows:

James Matthews,
first sergeant, age 23; birthplace
London
,
Va.

J. H. Jones, 2nd
sergeant, age 29, birthplace,
Mobile
,
Ala.

D. A. McKinley,
2nd corporal, age 22, born
Cabinas
,
N.C.

A. D. Hines,
buglar, age 28, birthplace
Washington
,
Tex.

Geo. M. Bowie, 18,
Alabama
.

W. G. Copeland,
19,
Alabama
.

J. M. Connor, 22,
Tennessee
.

J. U. Howell, 18,
Alabama
.

W. M. Kenerly, 33,
Illinois
.

A. J. May, 32,
Arkansas
.

J. B. Seaborn, 18,
Virginia
.

B. H. Walton, 21,
Missouri
.

Thomas McKinley,
18,
Tennessee
.

Tom Wadsworth, 18,
Matagorda.

T. C. Secrest, 25,
Matagorda.

J. G. Secrest, 20,
Texas
.

Henry Gibson, 19,
Matagorda.

A. C. Johnson, 18,
Louisiana
.

James Rugeley, 17,
Matagorda.

The following were
volunteers for the special trip.

E. Lake
, 18,
Alabama
.

_____ Duggan, age
25.

Julius _____.

Judge Burkhart,
who compiled this list years ago and has preserved the names of the
heroes, says that the other commissioned officers were: William Davis,
1st lieutenant who lived on Caney; William Wiggins, 2nd lieutenant, and
William Turner, 3rd lieutenant.

Matagorda
News,
Friday, January 24, 1913

DOOMED?

The Confederate monument on
the southeast corner of courthouse square, long a
landmark of downtown Bay City, may be doomed in the
rebuilding project now underway. The monument to the
men who died in Matagorda Bay during the War Between
the States was donated to the county by the Capt. E.
S. Rugeley Chapter of the United Daughters of the
Confederacy. It at one time held water in the
circular base, and fish were kept in the pond. In
recent years the pond was filled with dirt and the
monument has had only minimum care.

Local Monument To Be Preserved During Building

Worried historians were
assured Saturday that the monuments on the
courthouse square would be moved and preserved
during the demolition and rebuilding period, and
Mrs. Dudley Everett promised the aid of her
organization in maintaining the Confederate monument
in an attractive condition.

The large monument to the men who
died in Matagorda Bay during the War Between the
States and donated to the county by the United
Daughters of the Confederacy, Capt. E. S. Rugeley
Chapter, will be removed and replaced on the new
courthouse plaza if at all possible.

Mrs. Everett, president of the
chapter, said Saturday that her group will be
willing to "plant the base" or do anything the
commissioners might want to help keep the monument
in good condition.

The Daily Tribune,
August 5, 1963

DOWN HE
GOES

Great care was used Monday in
the lowering of the Confederate soldier from
atop the Memorial on the courthouse square, and
the doughty Johnny Reb rests today against a
tree. The statue will get a thorough cleaning
before remounting at the the new county
courthouse. Houston specialists were called in
for the delicate operation, and power for
lifting was provided by a dragline. County
Commissioner Bill Tillman supervised the
handling of the monument.

There should be erected
in Matagorda a monument forty or fifty feet high to the memory of the E.
S. Rugeley Company, which, daring the terrors of a storm-blizzard at
sea, set sail in an overcrowded boat, on the night of December 31, 1863,
to meet and repel an attack from the federal forces. The storm growing
fiercer, the boat was wrecked and the gallant band nearly all lost in
the storm-blizzard. There was no more heroic defense of home and the
constitution and few instances of greater fatality than the brave
company which went down with the "Geo. Burkhart" in that
fearful storm of New Year's Eve, 1964. The names of the members of Co. D
should be chiseled in
Texas
granite with a description of the holocaust, to stand for the centuries
to come in commemoration of the heroism of those men for the cause they
held so dear. If the ladies of Matagorda will organize a monument
association the men of Matagorda will help them, and there are many
other partsof the state who would gladly contribute to such a monument.

The Matagorda News,
Friday, May 9, 1913

Picture of monument that was later erected in Matagorda Cemetery in
memory of Rugeley's men.

Confederate Monument is Placed in Matagorda

The E. S Rugeley Chapter of Bay City has had made and erected a
beautiful monument in the Matagorda City of the Dead, honoring the
heroes of the War Between the States who froze to death in Matagorda Bay
on the night of December 31, 1863. There were 22 of these gallant boys
who wore the "gray," and their names are carved in the marble of the
shaft just erected yesterday to remind us who pass it by, that not "in
Flanders Field, the Poppies grow," but in the silent tomb in Matagorda.
He, they the dead, we honor. The ceremony of unveiling will be on Sunday
afternoon of June 1, celebrating the natal day of our Jefferson Davis,
and we are expecting a program in keeping with the occasion.

Mr. McAnulty of Houston, did work on the marble and it is a splendid
piece of carving. The monument will be paid for by contributions of
those who care to have a part in its erection. Checks have been sent in
already by:

Sunday afternoon at Matagorda was a special one for
the United Daughters of the Confederacy, for the ceremony of unveiling
the monument erected to the memory of the valiant soldiers who froze to
death on the night of December 31st, 1863, in defense of our country,
was held. The E. S. Rugeley Chapter United Daughters of the Confederacy
of Bay City, is named for the organized and commanding officer of the
company whose history we honored at that time, Capt. Ed S. Rugeley. The
program had been specially arranged by Mesdames Kleska, Rugeley,
Fullingim and Doubek of the U. D. C. and carried out by direct
descendents of the members of this company of Texas cavalry.

We will not go into detail as to the program, only to
say that it was beautifully executed, not a break occurring, during an
entire afternoon, due to the minute directions of Mrs. Kleska into whose
hands was given this duty.

The little girls standing guard at each side of the
monument were Misses Gene Lawson and Elizabeth Inglehart, age 12 years,
one carrying the Texas flag, the other holding aloft the flag of the
Confederacy. Dressed in white with their Confederate red sashes, they
stood proudly at attention during the whole service, after having placed
the large wreath of red roses on the top of the marble monument. After
the song, “Cover Them Over With Flowers,” by Mesdames Wadsworth and
Highley, Messrs. Joe and Foster Milner, a band of little girls and
boys, grandchildren of the men whose names are graven in the marble
shaft, scattered flowers all over the spot, under which rests the bodies
of the dead heroes.

Miss Katherine Fullingim read a very appropriate poem
of presentation of the monument, which was accepted for Matagorda by
Mrs. W. Rugeley, after which Mrs. Fullingim, president of the Bay City
U. D. C. made a most feeling little speech of admonition to them of
Matagorda into whose hands we place the keeping of this expression of
love to “the boys who wore the gray” that they keep it as a sacred
trust, a hallowed memory, a revered history to be read of men in the
years yet to come. Mr. Dunbar, whose honor was to draw the cords that
unveiled the shaft, is the only living member of Company D., Texas
infantry, and the dear old fellow, though he could not hear all that was
said, felt the thrill of the hour, and his eyes were filled with tears,
as he recalled the comrades of the other day. The flags which were
unfurled to the breeze of Matagorda Bay waters, were held by the sons of
men who were members of Capt. E. S. Rugeley's company: Mr. Hy Rugeley,
Mr. Jesse Matthews, Albert Wadsworth.

At the conclusion of the program, Miss Tenie Holmes
gave a reading, “Scatter the Flowers,” and the little boys and girl
again scattered flowers and when the quartet had sung, “They Rest in
Peace,” Reverend Rainer made the closing prayer and the ceremony was
over, and the crowd was scattered all over the old historic burial
ground of Matagorda, remembering each grave of a Confederate soldier
with flowers. There were friends at the service from other many distant
places, and many old friendships were renewed, after perhaps years of
separations. Judge W. E. McNabb of Matagorda, introduced the speaker of
the day, Mr. D. R. Peareson of Richmond, who made the following address.

Honored daughters of the Confederacy, ladies,
gentlemen and friends. I say friends advisedly, for I feel sure that I
am a friend to all of Matagorda County and bound to her with cords of
steel. Her name, from earliest boyhood has held for me sacred memories
and I am touched and honored to be allowed the privilege of having a
part in the ceremonies of today.

Matagorda from her founding has ranked high in the
history of the state. From her portals have gone out fair, noble women
and brave, splendid man. Her people of today are holding high the torch
of honor and background that their ancestry left them. No where on God's
green earth, are finer people than the old Matagordians-- God bless them
everyone!

Today the descendents of the “Boys of ‘61” have met
to do honor to the most noble, the most gallant, the most chivalrous of
their time.

This splendid monument was erected by the loving
hands and devoted hearts of loyal Daughters of the Confederacy of
Matagorda County, to the memory of those brave sons of Matagorda who
lost their lives on that cold December night almost three-score and ten
years ago, in an heroic effort to defend their homes against the
threatened attack by the Yankee soldiers, and will remain as long as its
material endureth as a token that our people are grateful and
appreciative.

There is much sadness in thus commemorating their
great deeds, but we also experience a great thrill of pride. We mourn
when death makes its presence felt, but we glory in the heroic acts of
those who willingly make the supreme sacrifice in an effort to serve
their country, and we, who have had no part in the erection of the
shaft, are proud that there yet remains in the hearts and minds of the
Confederate Daughters of Matagorda County, and the citizens generally,
the gratitude, remembrance and reverence which prompted this commendable
act as long as such sentiments exist the county is safe.

The events and the persons participating therein and
to whom this monument is dedicated, are well known to you, but it is
fitting that they be recalled on this occasion, in order that the
heroism and daring bravery shown, may be known to the younger
generation.

According to authentic data recently in my
possession, several Federal gunboats had been observed for sometime
maneuvering in the Gulf opposite of Matagorda and on December 30, 1863,
one of them came to anchor about 4 miles above the town, lowered some
launches fully manned, landed, and at once commenced to erect a fort.
These covert acts created much commotion and excitement in the town.

The Confederate gunboat, John F. Carr, the
Lizzie Lake, a stern wheeler and the transport, Lucy Guinn,
were then stationed at
Matagorda. The gunboat with casemated with bales of cotton and carried a
32 pound Parrott gun on her bow. The commander was Capt. G. Shepherd.

The Lizzie Lake was under the command of Capt.
Hill and was armed with a smooth bore brass cannon. The guns were
officered and manned by Cook's Regiment of artillery been located at
Galveston. In command of this flotilla, was Capt. Marmion of the Marine
service, but the expedition undertaken was under Capt. Rugeley, who has
been credited with the idea of making a night attack on the fort then in
course of construction on the peninsula.

The attacking force consisted of fifty-seven men,
including a number of volunteers. I do not have the names of all members
of this force, except as contained in the foregoing roster, but the
names of those who gave up their lives in the furtherance of the cause
which they love so well, have been indelibly enshrined in our memories,
they are Sergeants Jesse Matthews, John H. Jones; Corporal D. A.
McKinney; bugler A. D. Hines; Privates, Thomas McKinney, George M.
Bowie, W. G. Copeland, J. M. Connor, J. W. Howell, W. M. Kenerly, A. J.
May, J. B. Seaborn, B. H. Walton, James Rugeley, Tom Wadsworth, J. C.
Secrest, Henry Gibson, August Johnson, E. Lake, Julius Shaw, E. Duggan.

Among this heroic dead, were nine who were under 20
years of age, and one was only 17. Wonderful youths. But at that time
the voice of the Confederacy were everywhere carrying the burdens of
fully matured soldiers.

The expedition embarked before sundown and proceeded
toward the objective, the men being buoyant and eager to do battle in
defense of their beautiful Southland--little dreaming of the catastrophe
which soon befell them.

The boats finally anchored about 1200 feet from the
shore of the peninsula in less than five feet of water, and expedition
awaited nightfall so they might surprise the enemy and inflict a telling
blow. Notwithstanding that the Federals could be plainly seen, the
commander dispatched two men to reconniter. They were Robert Decrow and
G. E. Bethhuysen. After going within a half mile of the fort
unperceived, these men returned and reported the enemy force to consist
of about sixty men, and thereupon, after consultation, an immediate
attack was decided upon. It is needless to say that all were anxious to
join in the attack and soon the 57 men and boys were on the way in two
life boats and one skiff. The skiff, in which were Captain Rugeley,
Captain Green Hall and seven men, took the lead. William Turner was in
charge of one life boat and Bob Decrow of the other. Before the boats
reached the shore, a terrific norther came up, and almost within the
twinkle of a star, the beautiful warm night was changed to freezing in
the darkness and the smooth waters of the beautiful bay to a churning
mass of wild waves. So mild that the weather been, that many of the
brave boys were in shirt sleeves. Uniforms, no doubt, an unknown
article.

The darkness, the coldest and the fury of the waters
were so intense that the order to return to the gunboats was given
before the boats landed. After much difficulty the skiff reached the
gunboat, but the other boats in an effort to reach the shore, not being
able in the darkness to find the gunboats, were swamped with the fatal
results stated above. Some of these men were drowned and some frozen to
death. In all, twenty-two brave man entered into rest; but the memory of
their deeds and of the patriotism which induced them to undertake the
perilous attack lives on and will continue until the shadows fall

It is stated that nine men in one party reached the
shore and were urged by one of the number, Alex Forrester, to keep in
motion, but they were too overcome to heed his warning and yielded to
their desire to sleep, and they did sleep, but it was their their last
sleep. They were found together the next day dead. Pathetic was the
finding of the bodies of the McKinney brothers locked in each other's
arms.

After much suffering the survivors of the life boats
were rescued given succor while the bodies of those whose spirits had
flown were laid to rest in the cemetery by the tender and loving hands
of relatives and friends.

No matter what their lives may have been, the manner
of the going constituted a passport to that eternal home were they now
rest in peace.

I feel that I will not take one iota from the homage
of gratitude due to those in whose memory this monument has been
erected, if I should also speak of the other Matagorda County company.

I refer to Company D., of Sixth Infantry Regiment,
which was organized by the Dr. E. A. Pearson in May, 1861. The original
officers were Capt. E. A. Pearson; First Lieutenant, James Selkirk;
Second Lieutenant, Greenberry Stewart; Third Lieutenant, Philip E.
Peareson; First Sergeant, W. D. Barbour; Second Sergeant, George S.
Lewis; Second Sergeant John Doel [Dale?]; Fourth Sergeant, David Culver.
Corporals Richard Boyd, John Raymond, Wm. Wadsworth. J. S. Perry was
drill master. Wm. Austin, drummer; James Cross, piper; S. B. Brigham,
secretary and J. T. Fry, surgeon. This company finally became a part of
Granberry's Brigade and saw active service in the battles of Arkansas
Post, Wartrace Corinth, Chattanooga, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge,
Altoona, Lookout Mountain, Franklin, Atlanta, Murfreesboro, and
Jonesboro, and were also engaged in numerous skirmishes, and when
mustered out contained only fifteen able bodied men. The original number
was 108 officers and men. James Selkirk later became captain, but for a
part of the time, Frank Holt was in command, he having been commissioned
third lieutenant.

Members of Company D. were often detailed on outside
service. E. J. Inglehart, the father of Mrs. Kleska, who is quite active
in the affairs of the Daughters of the Confederacy, was the dispatch
bearer to Gen. Bedford Forrest. He was wounded three times. William
Dunbar, who is now the only survivor of either company, did duty as a
scout, often penetrating the Yankee camp and obtaining valuable
information. Gid Wilkerson, the youngest, 16 years old, of all the
members, and the smallest, became an expert sharp shooter. Lieut. Philip
E. Pearson served as an aide on the staff of General Granberry, with
rank of captain

Some of the members of this company now rest of
Arkansas, some in Mississippi, and in Georgia and Tennessee and some in
Texas, but the glorious services rendered by the members of both
companies is yet remembered by a grateful people, and although all these
brave men, except one, have passed on, they left records which will
endure until the end cometh.

And now as the cords are drawn and there is unveiled
to our view this beautiful memorial to the splendid man who lost their
lives the icy bay, and immortalized their names, we say:

We love the South and her traditions and glorious
cause, our people fought for them but lost! We cherish the memory of the
brave deeds of her courageous men and the sacrifices willingly made by
her noble women; we hate and despise the many indignities inflicted upon
the helpless people during the reconstruction period, but realize that
there is now but one people, one flag, one country, and we stand ready
today to give to that country, which has been reunited by the events of
the Spanish and World War to the best of our abilities, the same service
which our ancestors gave to the lost cause.

The E. S. Rugeley Chapter U. D. C. of Bay City,
expresses appreciation to all who helped carry out the program,
beginning several weeks ago, when the monument was made and placed. We
could not have accomplished it all, without the help of friends, so we
thank you all.--Cora B. Moore, Historian, E. S. Rugeley U. D. C.

Newspaper and date unknown

More Money Needed For Monument Fund

While
the free will offerings to the monument erected by the Daughters of the
Confederacy of the E. S. Rugeley Chapter in the Matagorda Cemetery last
Friday in honor of the band of Confederate soldiers who froze to death
in Matagorda Bay on December 31, 1863, have been generous in the
extreme, additional funds are needed to complete the work. There are 22
young men in the small band of soldiers who attempted to cross the bay
in the line of their duty on that fateful might and while ever since the
day of the tragedy some plans have been in the making to fittingly
commemorate them and their deeds of valor, it was not until recently
that the work met with permanent success, and the works are nearly
finished is to be credited to the Capt. E. S. Rugeley Chapter U. D. C.

Of the
amount needed the chapter has received in money, material and help
$92.50 and has applied it to the monument fund. There is more needed and
it is the hope of the chapter that others will contribute immediately.

So far
the chapter has gotten the following amounts:

Mrs. J. M. Corbett, $10;
Miss Janie Hawkins, $10;

Mrs. Kate Moore, $5;

Mrs. Annie Sanborn, $5;

Mrs. R. A. Kleska, $5;

Miss Florence Bouldin, $5;

Mr. Jesse Matthews, $5;

Mrs. W. D. Barbour, $1;

Mr. V. L. LeTulle, $15;

Mr. J. W. Rugeley, $5;

Mr. Geo. Serrill, $2.50;

Mr. Jno. Sutherland, $4;

Mr. J. J. Simpson, $5;

Mr. Watson, $1.

And from the fund started by the father of Mrs. R. A. Kleska and the
grandfather of Mr. A. H. Wadsworth, shortly after the death of the boys
and kept intact by the grandfather and the father of Mr. Wadsworth and
still in his possession $13, making in all $92.50.

The boys who met death while in the
service of their country were:

Jesse Matthews, first sergeant, age 23,
birthplace, London, Va.

J. H. Jones, second sergeant, age 28,
birthplace Mobile, Ala.

D. A. McKinley, second corporal, age 22,
birthplace, Cabinas, N. C.

A. D. Hines, bugler, age 28 birthplace,
Washington, Texas.

George M. Bowie, age 18, born Alabama.

W. G. Copeland, age 19, born Alabama.

J. M. Connor, age 22, born Tennessee.

J. U. Howell, age 18, born Alabama.

U. M. Kenerly, age 33, born Illinois.

A. J. May, age 32, born Arkansas.

J. B. Seaborn, age 18, born Virginia.

B. H. Walton, age 21, born Missouri.

James Rugeley, age 17, born Matagorda.

Thomas McKinley, age 18, born Tennessee.

Tom Wadsworth, age 18, born Matagorda.

T. C. Secrest, age 25, born Matagorda.

J. G. Secrest, age 20, born Texas.

Henry Gibson, age 19, born Matagorda.

A. C. Johnson, age 18, born Louisiana.

The following were volunteers for the special trip.
E. Lake, age 18, born in Alabama.
____ Duggan, age 35.
Julius ____.

Last names
could not be deciphered from old record.

Should
anyone reading this item feel interested and care to contribute toward
the erection of this marker, such contribution will be appreciated by
the chapter. For this purpose communicate with Mrs. R. A. Kleska,
Memorial treasurer, Bay City, Texas.

The
first named on the list was the namesake of Judge Jesse Matthews so well
known to so many a native of the county and scion of a beloved pioneer
family.

The
James Rugeley mentioned was a member of another honored pioneer family
and the namesake of our fellow townsmen, Mr. James W. Rugeley.

Tom
Wadsworth, was the brother of William Wadsworth who contributed so
largely to the progress and the history of the old county, an uncle of
Mr. A. H. Wadsworth of this city, the custodian of the original $13
contributed to the monument.

Mr. P.
G. Secrest is unable to connect the two Secrest boys listed with his
family. Henry Gibson, was no doubt, a member of the Gibson family of
this county.

This
undertaking is not only praiseworthy, but of historic value as well.
Your donation to the work of finishing the monument will be most
graciously received.